"You’re the one spreading lies!" Yue ger retorted, then turned tearfully to the leader. "See? This is how he slanders me, it’s always been like this! It wasn’t me! I just scratched my hand with a hairpin, and now he’s accusing me of murder! And A-Yu is your brother, how could I possibly do something so cruel? Besides, I was in my own room the whole time and only came out later. When would I have had the chance to do this…?"
At first, the leader had only been startled by his injuries, never truly believing this person could kill.
But now, the ger’s face was deathly pale, his eyes bloodshot, looking so fragile he might collapse at the slightest breeze. The leader’s heart ached, and he pulled him into his arms.
"Of course I know it wasn’t you. A-Yue is too kind to do such things."
Hearing this, Wang Jin felt a chill in his heart and let out a scornful laugh. He lowered his gaze to Yu ger, fragmented light flickering in his eyes, his long lashes casting shadows over his heart like dark clouds smothering sunlight.
The initial panic of discovering the dead body had faded, and only now did Wang Jin realize how deeply his heart ached.
This person had been so happy earlier, eager to warm wine for him and Mu ger. Now, he lay dead for no reason, his death even being used to eliminate Wang Jin himself. And his own brother, believed the words of someone who was likely the real killer.
Wang Jin clenched his fists, the motion tugging at the wounds on his hands. Fresh blood dripped onto the ground beside Yu ger, mingling with his own.
He had always been the least tolerant of pain, yet now, it felt like nothing. Compared to the agony in his heart, this pain was insignificant.
Since when had he ever been so passive and humiliated?
In his past life, if anyone had treated him like this, he would’ve taken his retainers and taught them a lesson!
In this life, he had endured, thinking this was the tribe his man had chosen, that they would spend the rest of their lives here, so he let minor slights pass…
Perhaps it was precisely because of those small concessions that Yue ger had grown so brazen…
Wang Jin stood up, straight as a pine that had weathered harsh winters. He turned to the crowd, his gaze unsettlingly unfamiliar.
The ger had always been beautiful, his fair complexion and soft voice gave him a gentle, harmless air. Often clinging to his beastman, he seemed like a pliable lump of dough or a tame, fluffy little spirit beast.
But now, his eyes were sharp, his expression cold. Standing alone, he erected an invisible barrier that repelled any ill-intentioned approach.
Looking at the two embracing at the doorway, his lips curled in icy mockery. "So, despite all the doubts, the leader has already decided it was me and A-Mu?"
His voice was still soft, but now it carried none of its usual gentleness—instead, it felt like it had been dragged through snow, sharp with frost.
The crowd fell silent, inexplicably afraid to speak.
He didn’t have Yuan Heng’s commanding presence or the leader’s lofty status, yet in that moment, he seemed to wield an authority that cowed them all.
No one dared affirm the accusation.
Nor could anyone deny it.
The leader, startled by the sudden change in Wang Jin’s demeanor, took a moment to recover. "What doubts? The facts are clear! If you refuse to leave, I’ll have you expelled from the tribe myself!"
"No one is sending Jin ger away!" A voice rang from outside. The crowd turned to see Lai Yuan, A-Hua, Xiao Ruo, and a dozen beastmen entering, with Yao ger trying to hide beside them.
Wang Jin’s expression softened slightly at the sight of Yao ger.
Lai Yuan strode forward, and Mu ger rushed to meet him. Lai Yuan comforted him quietly before addressing the leader firmly: "A-Mu is my ger. He’s always been kind, he wouldn’t do such a thing. Jin ger belongs to Brother Heng. Even if he’s to be exiled, we must wait for Brother Heng’s return."
The leader narrowed his eyes. "What? Are you saying I, the leader, need a beastman’s permission to punish someone? Are you rebelling?!"
Lai Yuan lowered his head but stood firm in front of Mu ger and Wang Jin. Xiao Ruo spoke up: "Leader, Jin ger complains about the weight of a knife, how could he lift a jar to kill someone? This doesn’t add up. Let’s wait for Brother Heng’s return and investigate properly."
A-Hua added, "Yes, Leader. Brother Heng went to find Rui grass for… for you and Yue ger. If you punish his ger in his absence…"
The leader hesitated, his expression darkening.
Yue ger burst into tears. "It’s all my fault… I’m the one who’s sick, burdening the leader. If not for me needing Brother Heng’s help, the leader wouldn’t be in this dilemma… A-Yu is your brother, yet because of me, you can’t punish his killer… If the real murderer escapes because of me, I don’t deserve to live…"
His weeping melted the leader’s resolve. "Enough! Jin ger killed someone, punishing him is just! Even if Yuan Heng returns, the outcome won’t change! Step aside!"
The group stood firm.
"Call Xi ger," Wang Jin’s calm voice cut through the tension.
Yue ger stiffened, panic flickering across his face.
Wang Jin pushed through the crowd. "I took a closer look, Yu ger wasn’t killed by the jar. His lips are black, and there’s blood from his seven orifices. It looks like poison. Call Xi ger to examine him. He’ll find the truth."
"You’re just stalling!" The leader glared, as if trying to see through Wang Jin’s calm facade.
Wang Jin ignored him, turning to the beastmen protecting him, then to Xiao Ruo and A-Hua. "Go. Bring Xi ger here."
"No one leaves!" The leader blocked the door. "The killer is obvious! If you shield him and indulge his nonsense, do you even want to stay in this tribe anymore? Do you still respect me as your leader?!"
The two hesitated, trapped in the standoff.
Wang Jin’s gaze shifted to the middle-aged ger silently weeping in the corner, aged by grief.
"Uncle…" Wang Jin called softly.
The man looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, sorrow spilling over.
Wang Jin’s nose stung. He approached, stopping three steps away. "Uncle, I didn’t do this. Yu ger died unjustly. You don’t want his killer to go free, do you?"
The middle-aged ger's tears fell silently. "A-Yu… he said he wanted to marry… to find the handsomest beastman, have a strong son and a beautiful ger to care for me… He never got the chance… How could he just…?"
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